Multi-modal Soul
Yemi Bolatiwa
I Need To Change LIVE @ Hope Mill Studios (One--shot video)
Alright lovely people! here is everything you need to know right now in a handy little micro-site, fancy that? Thank you for following my music, now please come see me and the band live and look out for the work around an album for 2026.
Independent soul artist, and topline vocalist Yemi Bolatiwa has plays on BBC Radio 1, Kiss FM, BBC 1Xtra, BBC 6 Music and BBC Introducing Manchester under her belt, with her confessional soul and as co-writer on D&B/Garage and House releases Josh Butler, Benny Page, Dope Ammo, Danny Howard, Lauren Lo Sung, Antony Szmeirek, Szjana + many more (see below). The live band is an exciting group of instrumentalists bound by versatility and smoothness. A combination of bouncy and dynamic dependable R&B beats and melodies, jazzy riffs and luxurious cinematic string moments. This next phase of her music homes in on the vocal storytelling and sultry but high energy and powerful soul style.Glastonbury long-list finalist 2020 and 2023:Yemi Bolatiwa’s elegant voice combines innate soul with an airy undernote accentuated by subtle layering.” - Tony Hardy, Consequence of Sound“A versatile vocalist, at home on an infectious pop song or a confessional soul track. There’s an effortlessness and smoothness to her delivery.” – Crack Magazine
Black British Female Aftermovie
The Lova La Music Video
Intimate live reel
FULL BIOGRAPHY
Yemi’s band have already graced many of Manchester’s best stages, including Band on the wall, Soup kitchen, Gorilla, Albert’s Schloss, The 02 Ritz, Blues Kitchen and played national from Soho to Brixton, North London to East London (e.g. Dalston Eastern Curve, The Waiting Room). Her debut tour in December 2023, saw her live act set ready to hit any stage from a soulful trio to a 9 piece ensemble. Influences include Sade, Lianne La Havas, Mary J Blige, Lauryn Hill, Brandy and Toni Braxton. During her career, her original work has led to supporting Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Submotion Orchestra, Riot Jazz, The Skints, Ezra Collective and more. Yemi and the band have graced many of Manchester’s best stages,including, Band on the wall, Soup kitchen and The Eagle Inn. Shows across the north from Sheffield, to Newcastle to Leeds and southern homecoming shows at the London National Theatre.
Festival appearances include; Boomtown Fair (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017) Kendal Calling Festival (2015, 2022), Tramlines Festival (2016), Beat Herder Festival (2015, 2016, 2018) Soundwave Croatia (2018), Nass Fest (2015) Manchester Jazz Festival (2016,2019, 2021, 2023) Manchester International Festival (2019, 2021), Mandrea, Italy (2019), Kendal Calling (2015, 2022), Wilderness (2022), Moovin (2023).Yemi Bolatiwa is a multi-faceted independent soul vocalist who has worked with labels and artists such as Josh Butler, Benny Page, Dope Ammo, Potent Whisper, Ed West and Jago (Tru Thoughts), Diversion (Colorize Music), Kill Miami, Mykroboy (Juno Records) Brian Brainstorm (Jungle Cakes) Uri Mood (Moai Records) Piem, Danny Howard and Lauren Lo Sung (Nothing Else Matters), Szjana (Dance Regular), Joe Yorke (Rhythm Steady), Antony
Szmeirek and more.After the debut tour in London, Leeds, Bristol and Manchester (December 2023) followed by a creative hiatus backpacking Latin America Jan - May 2024, Yemi has returned to UK stages with new influences, some taster performances in Manchester, sessions in Huddersfield and Liverpool with new improved authentic soul sounds for 2025 and beyond. Yemi Bolatiwa’s soul act perform as a trio of synth lead electronic soul and bass up to a 6 piece ensemble with drums, viola, keys, bass and guitar. In 2023 she launched her 9 piece string quartet, and has returned in autumn 2024 after a hiatus backpacking with a fresh new repertoire of soulful hip-hoppy, bass influenced tunes to grace new stages and places in
2025!